Competing As An Adult ....this Will Be Fun!

I just thought I'd share that I will probably be the oldest female completive gymnast competing this year in NC.  I've been able to progress with the basics - with much help from Coach Sommer's gymnastics bodies conditioning - especially the seminars!!.  I've gotten my strength and mobility back to levels when I was a teen and competed as an optional gymnast.   I would say my mobility is trailing my strength and I"m much stronger as an adult in many cases.  

I'll be competing level 7 - which is the beginning optional level.   There is no adult gymnastics where I live - so I thought - what the heck - I'll just join the young ones!  It should be a blast!!!  So I'm working on my routines right now- and I have to say it such a decompression from the "real" adult world.  I started a blog on the journey if y'all are interested.  Lots of progress to be made for sure  - but hey - why not?

http://chalkstudio.blogspot.com

Awesome! Good luck on competitions.

Good luck!

That's great Des!  I bet you'll be a huge motivation for the young girls you are competing against.

Best of luck!

Good luck and have fun!

That's awesome! I didn't know we could still compete as adults. If I could find a gym that allows adults I would consider doing it myself. Best of luck to you!

Thanks for letting us know. You now have us cheering for you from the GB corner.

I'm curious, have you found that the skill comes back more quickly than the strength?  I have seen some older guys come in after years of not competing and still being able to do things like pommel circles and excellent swings.  Just wondering if this is a common thing.

Thanks everyone!! It should be very interesting experience! -

Yes you can still compete as an adult with USA gymnadtics - have to register as an athlete with them and according to what level you plan to compete - you may have to talk with the state director and petition with a video to show you have the skills.

Things that are better this go around are definitely cast handstands on bars (can actually do them!) as well as handstands on floor and beam--- a big thanks to Yuri this past Sept for some one on one coaching with handstands and shoulder mobility - it's been a big help!

" I bet you'll be a huge motivation for the young girls you are competing against. "

 To be honest, the younger girls will think it's kind of neat but the older pre-teen/teenagers will probably think WTH and it will get more of mixed opinions? It will get a mix of judgement from the coaches and judges and the dads at the meet will probably dig it. Most of the judges will probably enjoy it.

 Another option, Desi is also Prep-Op/Xcel.

 Note, that past 18, males cannot compete in the JO program. It's allowed in the JO women's program but not the men's.

 It's infrequently common. Sometimes you'll see a mom and daughter/s competing the compulsory levels. We had one mom who used to train in the gym when she wasn't coaching (and being a teacher). Also really helped when her daughter went on meltdown during practice.

 Desi, you really need to mindful of keeping those shoulders OPEN as you reach back during the BWO.

 Can't wait to see you work BWO-BHS!

Congrats and good luck. Not going to lie I am a bit a jealous as my body can no longer tolerate doing/practicing at the same level/intensity when I was 16/17. 

Blairbob said:

 Desi, you really need to mindful of keeping those shoulders OPEN as you reach back during the BWO.

 

 Can't wait to see you work BWO-BHS!

Yes - for sure ---so tight in the shoulders ---couldn't even get my arms by my ears 1.5 years ago - but thanks to much help with shoulder mobility from the seminar - youtube - and yoga it has improved dramatically!!  I work on it daily.

Another note:  for I only practice in the gym 1-2 times per week - mostly alone .  My training sessions are very different from when I was growing up.  Time is of the essence  - (I'm starting a new business - and I work full time) - Conditioning, drills, and skills are truncated into various circuits - As I progress towards my competition date - my daily conditioning and strength training will resemble my gymnastics routines.  I train at home - with rope, stall bars, rings, - chin up bar, etc....

YOU GO GIRL!

I might ask if I can join children's competition squad and put up with potential embarrassment being the only adult training with kids. Heck its worth it!

 I've had some thoughts of swinging buy the local NAIGC meets this year if I have anytime and seeing what I can do.

 Might be fun. No training, just show up-warm up and throw some stuff.

 Vault would be a pain though.

That sounds fun!  Yeah - I"m discovering vault to be quite tricky getting used to the new "table"....When I competed it was the horse.  Much better now, but hurdle arm circle is a little different.  I'm just doing a handspring - - definitely no very pretty yet.

Here's the latest from my training blog.  Any tips/drills  for the press handstand mount welcome (head is out, and I'm not proficient at rounding my shoulders through the press - almost like a planche then press up)

http://chalkstudio.blogspot.com

desi said:

I just thought I'd share that I will probably be the oldest female completive gymnast competing this year in NC.  I've been able to progress with the basics - with much help from Coach Sommer's gymnastics bodies conditioning - especially the seminars!!.  I've gotten my strength and mobility back to levels when I was a teen and competed as an optional gymnast.   I would say my mobility is trailing my strength and I"m much stronger as an adult in many cases.  

 

I'll be competing level 7 - which is the beginning optional level.   There is no adult gymnastics where I live - so I thought - what the heck - I'll just join the young ones!  It should be a blast!!!  So I'm working on my routines right now- and I have to say it such a decompression from the "real" adult world.  I started a blog on the journey if y'all are interested.  Lots of progress to be made for sure  - but hey - why not?

 

http://chalkstudio.blogspot.com

Respect and motivation right der.